PA to move out of Kallang to Tyrwhitt Road by 2009

By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia

New PA HQ at Tyrwhitt Road

SINGAPORE: The People’s Association (PA) is moving out of its historical Kallang site after nearly half a century.

By 2009, it will move to another gazetted landmark – the former Victoria School at Tyrwhitt Road, off Jalan Besar – at a cost of about S$50 million.

Construction work at the new site is set to kick off over the weekend.

The conserved old school building of the former Victoria School dates back to the 1930s and was designed by the same architect behind the Kallang landmark.

Even though it is half the size of the current site, there will still be space for a football field, practice studios and even new additions like a 6-storey office podium.

Tan Boon Huat, Chief Executive Director, People’s Association, says: “Moving to the new site means we can house everybody under one roof. Today, we are in sprawling buildings and that’s not very conducive for close coordination of work.

“The new site is far more cost-effective – we save on land, we won’t need such a large site. Secondly, we can make use of existing infrastructure; for example, share the car park with Jalan Besar Stadium. And as there are many eateries, we won’t have to construct a canteen.”

The building will also go ‘green’ – with natural ventilation and a ‘breathing wall’ to reduce power consumption by as much as ten percent.

However, 52-year-old Tan Kia Jin is sad to move as he has been working at the Kallang headquarters for nearly 30 years.

Mr Tan watched the place transform when the Public Works Department and the Central Manpower Base vacated two blocks and warehouses were converted into dance studios.

He says: “My favourite memory is the vibrancy of this place. It has always been a happening place for community, cultural activities. On weekends, this place is filled with activities – people playing football in the soccer field, basketball in the 80s, roller-skating, children’s art competitions, band practices, bagpipes and the military bands.”

PA aims to ensure the same vibrancy remains despite the move.

The new PA headquarters will only be ready at the end of 2008, so the 400-strong staff will make the move in early 2009.

PA says its current site in Kallang will be returned to the Singapore Land Authority, to give urban planners greater freedom and options to plan for future developments in the area.

From: Channel NewsAsia